Medieval 01 - Untamed

or a prayer, Meg didn’t know, for she couldn’t hear the words clearly enough.
    â€œI like this not,” Gwyn muttered finally. She looked at Meg. “Say nothing of it to anyone. We need no more trouble.”
    Meg nodded. “Yes.”
    â€œCan you make more?” Gwyn asked.
    â€œOf the medicine itself, yes. I have an ample supply of the seeds. The antidote will be much more difficult to replace. The plant grows only in undisturbed ground. This year we plowed up everything in hope of a good crop.”
    With a grunt, Gwyn rubbed her sore knuckles.
    â€œThe wet wind bothers you,” Meg said softly. “Have you taken the medicine I made for you?”
    The old woman seemed not to hear.
    â€œGwyn?”
    â€œMy dreams have been disturbed, but not by chilblains,” she whispered.
    A cold breath of unease slid down Meg’s spine. Saying nothing, she waited to hear whatever the oldGlendruid woman had gleaned from the world that was visited only in sleep.
    â€œ What was written in the past shall become in the future. No one, neither lord nor vassal, escapes. The winds of change are blowing, bringing the call of the war horn and the howl of the wolf .”
    Gwyn blinked as the vision passed, saw the expression on Meg’s face, and sighed.
    â€œTell me about your father,” Gwyn said in a low voice.
    â€œHe denies being my father.”
    Strangely, Gwyn smiled. There was little of warmth or humor in the curve of her lips. Even at her advanced age, the old Glendruid had a full set of hard white teeth. They gleamed as a wolf’s teeth gleam, in warning.
    â€œDid he threaten to set you aside and put Duncan in your place?” Gwyn demanded.
    â€œOnly if I don’t marry Duncan.”
    â€œWhat of Dominic le Sabre?”
    â€œHe is to be slain even as we stand before the priest,” Meg said bluntly.
    Gwyn’s breath came out in a low hiss. “The Church will not abide that.”
    â€œThe Church will receive an abbey.”
    â€œA small price for a large betrayal.”
    â€œNot really,” Meg said grimly. “The Church has been seeking ways to lessen Henry’s power. Duncan will be beholden to Church rather than to king. No cry of excommunication will be raised. If I can see that, surely John can as well.”
    â€œBy Hell’s deepest reaches, John is a clever man,” Gwyn muttered. “Would that he were compassionate, too.”
    â€œThere is nothing in him now but a burning need to see his son inherit his lands.”
    Gwyn hissed again, shaking her head. “What ofyou, Glendruid daughter? Will you take Duncan as your husband?”
    â€œI refused.”
    â€œGood.”
    â€œThen John ordered Duncan to begin the slaughter immediately….”
    The old woman cocked her head as though listening. “I hear nothing from the bailey but wenches calling to one another about their sweethearts.”
    Meg took a deep breath and spread her hands. “I told him I would do what I must.”
    There was a silence so deep that the tiny sounds of flame eating into candle wax could be heard. After a long time Gwyn sighed.
    â€œIs it true?” Meg asked finally.
    â€œThat you aren’t John’s daughter?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œâ€™Tis true,” Gwyn said casually. “He is not your father. His stepbrother was a man full of laughter and smiles. Anna went to him two fortnights before her wedding.”
    â€œWhy?” Meg asked, shocked.
    â€œShe had no love of John, but knew the heir to the Glendruid Wolf must somehow be born.”
    â€œThe heir to the Glendruid Wolf?” Meg asked. “What are you talking about?”
    â€œA man who would be wise enough to bring peace to our lands.”
    â€œAhhh, the fabled Glendruid male . Instead, I was born. Female. A disappointment to all.”
    Old Gwyn smiled and touched Meg’s cheek with a hand as soft and dry as candle flame.
    â€œYou were a boon to your mother, Meg. She enjoyed John’s stepbrother, but she didn’t love him. She felt neither passion nor love for John. But you she loved. For you, she endured John until the vassals had learned to love you, too.”
    â€œAnd then she walked out to the haunted place and never returned.”
    â€œYes,” Gwyn said simply. “It was a blessing for her, Meg. Hell had nothing to teach her after living with Lord John.”
    Turning away, Gwyn looked at the herbal